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West Tisbury Town Column: Oct. 11

Today is the beginning of the Columbus Day holiday weekend and the end of the extended shoulder season for the tourists. That was the old school of thought, but now with decent weather it will last until Veterans Day weekend. All town buildings, schools, library and the post office will be closed on Monday. The last Artisans Festival of the season will be held this weekend at the Grange Hall. Linda Alley reports that the first fall farmers’ market will be held at the Agricultural Hall tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Last weekend’s weather was summer-like — not Indian summer — as we have yet to be the recipient of a frost. The Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School will soon be displaying its Halloween decorations all around the town and the Island. Can you believe that in less than a month we will be operating on standard time!

Large crowds attended the Living Local Harvest Festival and Antique Engine Show at the Agricultural Hall, making it a big success last Saturday. The old cars, machines, exhibits and demonstrations were very popular, including the catapult built by Morning Glory Farm. One kid called it a super pumpkin smasher. Over 200 people attended the harvest festival pot luck dinner at the hall in the evening.

A schedule change that will affect almost everyone will go into effect on Oct. 15. On Tuesday the Vineyard Transit Authority begins its winter bus schedule. The bus stops in town will be at Cronig’s and the town hall. Be sure to pick up a copy of the new schedule or access their website vineyardtransit.com. You can call the VTA at 508-693-9440.

The SSA schedule changes on Wednesday. They will begin operating the late fall boat schedule and all trips will begin and end in Vineyard Haven. They have announced extra boat service to the Island during Thanksgiving week until Dec. 1. Also some adjustments have been made to the College Excursion Program. The program currently allows enrolled college students to save money when traveling with the SSA by becoming eligible for extended automobile excursion rates. For complete details of the program visit steamshipauthority.com

Emily Gadd of South Road left on Monday to return to Bozeman, Mont. She reports not having a very busy summer. She is planning to return for the holidays.

Anna Alley went up to East Taunton to visit our grandson Robbie and his parents Nicole Alley and Arsen Hambarzumian after attending the annual Immunization Update Conference in Marlborough. Anna and her sister Nina Berry of Providence took Robbie to the Roger Williams Zoo on Saturday while his parents attended a wedding in Connecticut. Robbie’s favorites were the zebras, giraffes and elephants, and he really enjoyed the water playground at the end of visit. Anna returned home Sunday evening.

Sig Van Raan of Music street reports that he and his wife Susan Dickler have had a busy fall. They traveled to New York city recently for Susan’s mom’s 100th birthday. They hosted a major family reunion party at her Manhattan apartment followed by an intimate family dinner at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Then this past weekend, Sig’s niece, Kaila Binney married Ned Allen Posin at the Allen Farm in Chilmark. The wedding has already been referred to as the Woodstock of all Vineyard weddings. More than 450 folks attended. The Van Raan kids, Sofia and Jackson, flew in from points west and south. Sheep, cows and pigs were roasted over open fire pits and the food was a combination of community pot luck and the efforts of multiple caterers and chefs. There was dancing, music, fireworks, floating candles on the pond and airlifted candles in the night sky.

Aside from the festivities, they have had company non-stop. Folks staying at the Menemsha cottage include Sig’s sister Heleena and her husband John, family friends from England and close friends from New York. Sig is planning to attend his 50th high school reunion shortly and they’ll be planning to relocate to their Manhattan apartment by the end of October.

Warren and Marilyn Hollinshead of Pond View Farm Road recently returned home from Minnesota after attending a college reunion.

The Martha’s Vineyard Food & Wine Festival begins on Thursday, Oct. 17 at the Agricultural Hall located on Panhandle Road from 7 to 9 p.m. It will be a gathering of community and cuisine for $40. Join everyone at the Agricultural Hall as local chefs and farmers come together providing food “fresh off the farm.” You can enjoy the music of one of the Vineyard’s favorite bands, Good Night Louise, while you’re there.

Anna Carringer over at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum reports that it is another busy week of events. On Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in their library James McGuane presents The Hunted Whale. Before the coming of steam and diesel ships, a whale hunt was a relatively even contest between two mammals — man and the sperm whale. Also included is a firsthand account of the hunt, excerpted from naturalist Robert Cushman Murphy’s log book while he was aboard the whaleship Daisy in 1912.

Jennifer Tseng over at the library reports that its annual Halloween party will be held at the Grange Hall on Thursday, Oct. 31 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Everyone is invited to come in costume and enjoy hay rides, refreshments and crafts. This event is free and open to the public.

Well, that is all of the social news for this week’s edition. If you have any news e-mail me at alleys@vineyard.net. A bit of trivia: Today is the 100th anniversary of the income tax code. Have a great week.